If a Child Wants to Quit

According to the American Psychological Association, two in five youngsters drop out of a sports program. The reasons voiced most often include:

• conflicts with the coach
• lack of enjoyment
• loss of interest in the sport
• insufficient playing time
• would rather play another sport
• too much else to do
• an overly competitive atmosphere
• too much stress and pressure
• not performing up to the standards they’ve set for themselves

It is a child’s right to share in the decision to end involvement in a sport. If your child comes to you with a desire to quit an athletic program, gather as many facts as you can. Listen to and discuss her reasons. If there is a way to rectify the situation, perhaps by speaking to the coach, offer to do so. However, while we don’t want to see children fall into a pattern of avoiding difficult situations, sometimes dropping out is the most reasonable course of action.